Delhi, India. At least 21 people were killed in a fire at a hotel in Delhi on Wednesday, police said, in one of the worst such incidents in the national capital in recent years. Police said at least 40 people had been rescued so far.
Fire breaks out in south Delhi hotel
The hotel was located in Malviya Nagar in south Delhi, police said. The area is predominantly residential and is popular with students and young professionals.
Television footage shows people escaping
Television visuals showed the building on fire, with smoke billowing out and charred exteriors, as residents watched from a nearby narrow lane. The footage also showed two people jumping from a higher floor of the building.
Possible link to ground-floor restaurant
“There was reportedly a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building … it is most likely that the fire was connected to that restaurant,” local administration official Jitendra Kumar told reporters.
Modi expresses condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the loss of lives was tragic. He extended his heartfelt condolences to those who had lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
